Temple University Athletics
Temple Hall of Famer John R. Boles Passes Away
4.6.11 | Men's Soccer
Soccer All-American and Coach was 65
PHILADELPHIA – John R. Boles, an All-America player and 21-year head men's soccer coach at Temple University, passed away Monday following a long battle with moyamoya disease. He was 65.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of an All-America on the soccer pitch and in life," Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw said. "John touched the lives of so many in the Temple community in such a positive way with his over three decades of involvement with the Temple soccer program. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time."
As a standout midfielder under Hall of Fame coach Pete Leaness from 1964 through 1966, John helped lead Temple to an incredible 43-6-1 record during his three years as a player. He earned honorable mention All-America honors in his first two seasons before being named first team NSCAA All-America as a senior. That season, John led the Owls to their first trip to the NCAA Tournament where they defeated West Virginia before falling at Michigan State. The team finished 13-2-1 with the 13 wins a school-record at the time.
After serving as an assistant coach for seven seasons, first under Leaness and then the legendary Walter Bahr, John took over as Temple's head coach in 1974. He proceeded to guide the Cherry and White to 13 ten-win seasons, including a record seven straight from 1974 through 1980. Three of his teams (1978, 1983, 1985) would set a still-standing school mark with 14 wins with two advancing to the NCAA Tournament. His 1976 and 1978 teams won NCAA first round games while the 1985 team lost a hard-fought 6-5 decision to Penn State in the opening round.
Inducted into the Temple University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985, John compiled an impressive 220-110-23 record in his two-plus decades at the helm. He coached six All-Americans (Enver Diker, Bill Sautter, George Lesyw, Jeff Kraft, Franklin Gbinije and Steffen Hausner) during his tenure.
He also played professional soccer, competing for the Philadelphia Ukranians, Philadelphia Spartans and the Delaware Wings.
While coaching at Temple he was also employed as a teacher in the Philadelphia School District for 29 years. He also served as the athletic director at Breezy Point Day Camp for more than 20 years.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Evelyn (Keppler); his daughter Jennifer and her husband, John Siwak; three sons, John and his wife, Krista, Jamie and his wife, Lora, and Jeffrey and his life partner, Richard Weyler. He is survived by eight grandchildren, Tyler, Kaitlin, Megan, Colleen, Jonathan, Dylan, Coleman and Leanna. He is also survived by his brothers, Joseph and Thomas; and sisters, Florence Darrah and Joanne Pettit. He was the brother of the late Mary Brown and Eileen Mackin.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing from 1:15 to 4;15 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Campbell and Thomas Funeral Home, 905 Second Street Pike in Richboro, Pa. His funeral mass will be celebrated at 5:00 p.m. in Saint Vincent de Paul Church. His internment will be held privately.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of an All-America on the soccer pitch and in life," Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw said. "John touched the lives of so many in the Temple community in such a positive way with his over three decades of involvement with the Temple soccer program. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time."
As a standout midfielder under Hall of Fame coach Pete Leaness from 1964 through 1966, John helped lead Temple to an incredible 43-6-1 record during his three years as a player. He earned honorable mention All-America honors in his first two seasons before being named first team NSCAA All-America as a senior. That season, John led the Owls to their first trip to the NCAA Tournament where they defeated West Virginia before falling at Michigan State. The team finished 13-2-1 with the 13 wins a school-record at the time.
After serving as an assistant coach for seven seasons, first under Leaness and then the legendary Walter Bahr, John took over as Temple's head coach in 1974. He proceeded to guide the Cherry and White to 13 ten-win seasons, including a record seven straight from 1974 through 1980. Three of his teams (1978, 1983, 1985) would set a still-standing school mark with 14 wins with two advancing to the NCAA Tournament. His 1976 and 1978 teams won NCAA first round games while the 1985 team lost a hard-fought 6-5 decision to Penn State in the opening round.
Inducted into the Temple University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985, John compiled an impressive 220-110-23 record in his two-plus decades at the helm. He coached six All-Americans (Enver Diker, Bill Sautter, George Lesyw, Jeff Kraft, Franklin Gbinije and Steffen Hausner) during his tenure.
He also played professional soccer, competing for the Philadelphia Ukranians, Philadelphia Spartans and the Delaware Wings.
While coaching at Temple he was also employed as a teacher in the Philadelphia School District for 29 years. He also served as the athletic director at Breezy Point Day Camp for more than 20 years.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Evelyn (Keppler); his daughter Jennifer and her husband, John Siwak; three sons, John and his wife, Krista, Jamie and his wife, Lora, and Jeffrey and his life partner, Richard Weyler. He is survived by eight grandchildren, Tyler, Kaitlin, Megan, Colleen, Jonathan, Dylan, Coleman and Leanna. He is also survived by his brothers, Joseph and Thomas; and sisters, Florence Darrah and Joanne Pettit. He was the brother of the late Mary Brown and Eileen Mackin.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing from 1:15 to 4;15 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Campbell and Thomas Funeral Home, 905 Second Street Pike in Richboro, Pa. His funeral mass will be celebrated at 5:00 p.m. in Saint Vincent de Paul Church. His internment will be held privately.
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